The Standard Operaglass Detailed Plots of One Hundred and Fifty-one Celebrated Operas

About this book

The Standard Operaglass is a reference work that gathers the detailed plots of one hundred and fifty‑one celebrated operas, each accompanied by critical and biographical remarks, dates, and other pertinent data. The volume opens with a formal dedication to the renowned soprano Therese Malten, followed by a series of publisher and printer information that situates the book in the early twentieth‑century operatic world. An extensive index then lists the operas alphabetically, giving the composer’s name and a page reference for each entry, ranging from early works such as Gluck’s Iphigenia in Aulis to later staples like Verdi’s Rigoletto. The opening pages also contain a transcriber’s note warning readers of inconsistent punctuation, spelling, and occasional grammatical shakiness, signalling that the text has been faithfully reproduced from its original source.

The tone is scholarly yet practical, reflecting the Victorian‑era tradition of exhaustive catalogues. Written in a straightforward, matter‑of‑fact style, the book assumes a reader familiar with operatic repertoire and interested in quick reference rather than literary flourish. It will appeal to music historians, librarians, and opera enthusiasts who need reliable synopses and contextual notes for a broad spectrum of works, from the well‑known to the more obscure.